Identification of animalsin terms of

Animal Identification Act (Act No. 6 of 2002)

InfoPak

—English—

Department of agriculture

Pretoria, February 2008

Identification of animalsin terms of

Animal Identification Act (Act No. 6 of 2002)

InfoPak

2008 Revised 2007 First print

Design and layout by Directorate Agricultural Information Services Department of Agriculture

This InfoPak is obtainable from Resource Centre, Directorate Agricultural Information Services Private Bag X144, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa

or

on the web at: www.nda.agric.za/publications

iii

Contents

Aim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1 . Animal identification Act: (Act No . 6 of 2002) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 . Application of the Act (Section 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

3 . Advantages of legal marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

4 . How to register an identification mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5 . What is an identification mark [section 4] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

6 . These do not include . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

7 . Duties of owners [section 7] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Legal implications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1 . Prohibited marking of animals [Section 15] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 . Offences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 . Marking of registered (stud) animals [Section 15(2)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4 . Alternative method of identification [Section 8 – Reg . 5] . . . . . . . . . . 8

5 . Marking operators [Section 11] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

How to register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Marking operator courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Register of marking operator records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

6 . The animal identification system (AIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

iv

Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1 . Character sizes [Reg . 9] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2 . Shape, pattern and composition [Reg . 10] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

3 . Age of animals at the time of marking [Reg . 11] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Small stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Pigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ostriches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Equine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4 . Parts on which animals must be identified [Reg . 12] . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Sheep, goats and pigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Ostriches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Marking manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1 . Hot iron branding, freeze branding and tattooing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Marking with a hot iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Marking with a freeze branding iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Marking by means of tattooing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

1

To manage the national register for Animal Identification (AID) marks that will act as a first line of defence against stock theft, enhance identification of property and support traceability .

t Administering the Animal Identification Act .

t Manage the national register for animal identification marks as the animal identification system .

t Develop a policy on animal identification .

t Ensure equal access to service providers regarding animal identification .

t Contribute towards black economic empowerment and job creation by registering marking operators .

The first line of defence against stock theft!

Functions

Aim

2

1. ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION ACT (Act No. 6 of 2002)

t The Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No . 6 of 2002) replaced the old Livestock Brands Act, 1962 (Act No . 87 of 1962) .

2. APPLICATION OF THE ACT (Section 2)

t The Act applies to the whole country .It is compulsory to mark all cattle, sheep and goats and pigs.

Introduction

3

3. ADVANTAGES OF LEGAL MARKS

t Visible detterent – stock thieves are more in clined to steel animals that are not marked .

t Positive identification .

t Positive proof of ownership .

t More effective policing .

t More effective recovery rate .

t Enable tracing .

t A legal identification mark is very useful – if stolen or lost animals are found, it will be possible to find the owner .

4. HOW TO REGISTER AN IDENTIFICATION MARK

tAll owners must apply for a registered identification mark .

t Get forms from the extension offices, magistrate’s offices, stock theft units of the SAPS or from the Registrar of Animal Identification .

t There is a registration fee to be paid . It is a once off payment .

t Buy a revenue stamp at the post office for the correct amount and paste it on the application form . Post it to the Registrar .

t Address the envelope to: The Registrar of Animal Identification, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001 .

t All identification marks must be registered .

t The registration is placed on the National Register of Animal Identification System (AIS) .

4

5. WHAT IS AN IDENTIFICATION MARK? [Section 4]

t Mark prescribed by the Minister .

t Any registered mark made or placed on animals for any purpose

whatsoever .

6. ExCLUSIONS

t A mark on the horn or hoof

t A mark made with paint

t Clasp, rivet or tag attached to the ear

t Notch or hole

5

7. DUTIES OF OWNERS [Section 7]

t All owners of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs must register an identification mark at the office of the registrar of animal identification .

t Each owner must mark his/her animals in the prescribed manner .

t All cattle, sheep, goats and pigs of which the identification mark have become indistinct or invisible, must be re-identified in accordance with the legal provisions .

t Any owner of an animal with an identification mark on it, who wants to sell, barter or give away the animal within 14 days after he or she became the owner of such animal, must provide the new owner with a document of identification .

This means that within 14 days the animal can be disposed of with-out having being branded with the new owner’s mark since it already has the previous owners mark on it and a document of identification has been issued.

tAn owner of an animal who wants to sell, barter or give away an animal after 14 days of becoming the owner of such animal, must mark the animal with his or her own mark before disposing of it . The owner must also provide to the new owner a document of identification . The new owner must keep the document of identification for a period of one year .

This means that after 14 days the animal cannot be disposed of without having being branded with the new owner’s mark and a document of identification.

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1. PROHIBITED MARKING OF ANIMALS [Section 15]

No person may mark an animal with a:

t Mark which has not been registered .

t Registered identification mark without the authorization of the owner of such a mark .

t Registered identification mark otherwise than it has been prescribed .

t Mark which is registered in the name of another person who is not the owner of the animals .

t Mark that is not a prescribed mark for the group to which the animals belong .

2. OFFENCES

Any person who:

t Is a marking operator and fails to keep a register .

t Have any animals in his/her possession, which are marked in a manner other than in accordance with or permitted by the provisions of the Act .

t Alter, mutilate or erase the identification mark on an animal .

t Sells an animal on which an identification mark has been altered, mutilated or cancelled .

t Sells any animal of which the ear has been cut off without any lawful reason .

The sentence for these offences is a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both such fine and imprisonment .

Legal implications

7

3. MARKING OF REGISTERED (STUD) ANIMALS [Section 15(2)]

t Registered animals are marked with marks allocated by the relevant Breeders Society .

t The Breeders’ Society will prescribe the method of marking (branding or tattooing) .

t Certificates of registration issued by the Breeders Society must accompany registered animals sold at public auctions .

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4. ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION [Section 8 - Reg. 5]

t It is now possible to apply to the Registrar for alternative ways of identifying animals .

t Stockowners must, however, take note that this will not apply to individual owners . Only requests for the marking of certain groups of animals or species will be considered .

t Should such a request be granted, it would be subjected to strict conditions in order to simplify the work of the Inspector and the SAPS .

t Provisions that would be implemented in such a case would include the application of a single mark (brand/tattoo) indicating that the animals are micro-chipped .

t It will also be a requirement that all those using this method have a scanner/reader available at all times .

5. MARKING OPERATORS [Section 11]

How to register

t Complete a marking operator course .

t You must fill in an application form obtainable from the registrar .

t There is an application fee to be paid .

t Payment can be made by cheque, postal order or revenue stamp .

t Address the envelope to: The Registrar of Animal Identification

Private Bag X138 Pretoria (Tshwane) 0001

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Marking operator courses

The Registrar will inform the applicant where to attend the prescribed course .

The course will include the following:

tThe theory and technique of “hot iron” branding .

t The theory and technique of “freeze” branding .

t The theory and technique of tattooing .

t The theory and technique of restraining and marking animals; and the legislation regarding the welfare of animals .

Register of marking operator records

tName and address of the owner whose animals were marked .

t Date marked .

t Kind or specified breed marked .

t Number of animals marked .

t Method of identification .

t Date on which the owner’s identification mark was registered .

t The registered identification mark of the owner .

“Hot iron” branding

Tattooing

Neck clamp

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6. THE ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AIS)

t The animal identification system AIS is the national register of animal identification marks in South Africa .

t At this stage, it is only the South African Police Service that has access to the system .

t The AIS is a very user-friendly system that can be used by any official after a short period of training .

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1. CHARACTER SIZES [Reg. 9]

tTattoo: must not be larger than 20mm at the widest and highest part .

t Brandmark: must be between 40mm and 100mm at the widest and highest part .

2. SHAPE, PATTERN AND COMPOSITION [Reg. 10]

t An identification mark can consist of one to three letters or symbols (characters) .

t A three letter mark can be used in four different ways .

t A two letter mark can be used in two different ways .

t The characters may not touch one another .

t The same mark may be used on cattle or small stock .

BC A

A BC

A B C

ABC

A B

AB

Regulations

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3. AGE OF ANIMALS AT THE TIME OF MARKING [Reg. 11]

Cattle

tMust be marked by the age of six months .

t Can be tattooed from the age of one month – or

t Can be branded at the age of six months – and

t Must be branded by the age of the pair of permanent incisors (two-tooth stage) .

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Small stock

t Must be tattooed at the age of one month .

Pigs

t Must be tattooed at the age of one month .

Ostriches

t Can be tattooed at the age of one month – and

t Can be branded at the age of six months .

Equine

t Can be tattooed at the age of six months – and

t Can be branded by the age of twelve months .

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4. PARTS ON WHICH ANIMALS MUST BE IDENTIFIED [Reg. 12]

Cattle

t Tattooing: In the left or right ear .

t Branding: On any clearly visible part, with the exception of the neck .

t Look at the picture . Put the brand at any place outside the square .

t The first owner can put the mark on the left hind leg, the second owner can put it on the left shoulder, the third owner can put it on the right hind leg and the fourth owner on the right shoulder .

t Remember, you can lose money on hides if you mark in the valuable areas .

A

L F

A

LF LF

AA

LF

Sheep, goats and pigs

t The first owner can put the tattoo in the left ear, the second owner in the right ear .

t Pigs can also be marked in the left or right side of the neck or shoulder area by means of a “hogslapper” .

15

Ostriches

t Tattoo ostriches younger than 6 months underneath the left wing .

t Brand ostriches older than 6 months on the thighs .

t The first owner can put the brand on the outer side of the left thigh . The second owner can put the brand on the outer side of the right thigh .

t Ostriches are branded or tattooed depending on their age .

M N

M N

t No ostriches under 6 months may be branded with a hot iron .

t Ostriches younger than 6 months may be tattooed .

t The characters of a brand may not be larger than 25 mm (wide or high) .

t The characters of a tattoo may not be larger than 20 mm (wide or high) .

t The brand or tattoo may only have 2 characters .

t You must put the characters 6 mm from each other .

t You may brand the characters next to or below each other .

tThe tattoo marks may be put next to each other .

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1. HOT IRON BRANDING, FREEZE BRANDING AND TATTOOING

Marking with a hot iron

Step 1t Use a separate iron for each

character of the mark . It is easier, but not compulsory .

Step 2t Get everything ready before you

start marking . Make sure that the sequence of the registered mark is correct according to the certificate of registration . This can be tested on a piece of wood .

Step 3t Get someone to help you . The

helper must bring the animal closer and hold it firmly . It will be easier if you have more than one helper .

Step 4t Heat the iron well . When the iron becomes whitish, it is a sign that it is hot

enough . You may test the iron on a piece of wood to see if it is hot enough .

Step 5t Immobilise the animals with an immobiliser or knee halter so that they

do not kick you . The immobilisation of the voluntary muscles prevents the animal from moving .

Marking manual

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Step 6t Take the first iron and put it against the animal’s skin for 3 counts . Do

not press . Count 1,2,3 slowly . Take off the iron . Take the second iron and do the same with the third . The mark is now complete; clean each iron after use with a steel brush to get rid of the burned skin and hair .

Step 7t Make use of ice to cool down the wound or spray some cold water

onto the animal’s skin to cool it down .

t You can also apply wound oil on the wound . Do not wipe it with a cloth and never rub manure on the wound.

Marking with a freeze branding iron

Equipment needed:

t Coolant – dry ice in ethyl, methyl or isopropyl alcohol and liquid nitrogen

t Isolated container for the coolant

t Set of copper or high-quality bronze alloy branding irons

t Set of clippers

t 95 % ethyl or methyl alcohol

t Gloves

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Step 1t Get everything ready

before you start branding .

Step 2t Get someone to help you .

The helper must bring the animal closer and hold it firmly . If you have a crush-pen, branding will be easier .

Step 3t Immobilise the animals

with an immobiliser or knee halter so that they do not kick you .

Step 4t Shave off the hair on the

spot to be branded .

Step 5t Freeze the iron by putting

it in liquid nitrogen or in spirits which has been chilled to -40 oC by means of dry ice .

Step 6t When the irons stop giving

of bubbles they are cold enough to brand letters onto the skin . Shake off the nitrogen or spirits; otherwise the flow-off will also leave a mark on the skin .

19

Step 7Press hard for the following exposure times:

t Animals 6 to 8 months: 20 to 25 seconds

t Animals 9 to 18 months: 25 to 30 seconds

t Animals over 18 months: 30 to 35 seconds .

Marking by means of tattooing

A third method of identification is the tattooing of animals .

t Tattoo pliers and ink are used to mark the animals .

Sheep, goats (small stock) and pigs

t Sheep, goats and pigs are tattooed .

t The characters of a tattoo may not be larger than 20mm (high or wide) .

t The mark may have 1,2 or 3 characters .

t You must put the characters next to each other .

20

Step 1t Get everything ready before you start tattooing .

Step 2t Get someone to help you . The helper must

bring the animal closer and hold it firmly .

Step 3tPut the characters in the right order and

position in the tattoo pliers – according to the certificate of registration .

Step 4t Clean the ears before applying the ink – ears

have dirt and oil that will prevent the ink from filling the tattoo wholes made by the tattooing pliers . Apply the tattoo ink on the clean area to be tattooed .

Step 5t Press the tattooing pliers until holes appear

on the skin .

Step 6tRub the ink into holes . The tattooing process

is complete .

t A permanent legal mark is the first line of defense against stock theft.

t The legislation in South Africa provides for an effective animal identification system.

t Hot iron brands for cattle and tattoos for small stock remain the most cost effective ways of marking these groups of animals.

Conclusion